5-4-1: Another Block Party

During the third period of the Rangers 2-0 win over Toronto on Saturday, the Rangers got a little too feisty near J.S. Giguere and the Leafs took exception. Greg Caggiano tweeted "Let's see a scrum like that in front of OUR net."

There shouldn't just be a scrum, there should be a brawl. It is difficult to believe, after performances like this, that the Rangers don't realize that their livelihood rests upon Swedish shoulders. How they don't do anything and everything to protect those shoulders is baffling.

The HNIC announcers broke down Henrik's play, pointing out how he plays deep in his crease more often than not. What they didn't point out is that he does it because 1- he is European and most goalies who come from the wider ice surface play deeper and 2- it is safer.

That being said, the Rangers played their second impressive defensive game in the Air Canada Center. Like the last time, the Blueshirts gave up the body, diving in front of shot after shot. Oh, there were breakdowns and Hank got crowded at times, but they repeated their Biron performance to limit Leaf chances. They blocked 35 shots in all, and yet Hank still made 36 saves.

Insane, right? But it does make sense - Toronto pressed the play with their energy and physicality, while the Rangers cowed back in their own zone. The team doesn't have much toughness and it certainly doesn't have much skill with Gaborik gone, so they fall back on their heels and give up the neural zone and the blue line.

They simply can't allow Pat Kane and the Hawks to do that on Monday. But they probably will. Let's just hope Hank can pull out another gem ...

Notes:

*Jim Hughson doing the play-by-play makes me think that I'm immersed in a video game rather than watching the Rangers. Brian Boyle scoring his fourth goal of the season doesn't help either, as that is far more likely in the virtual world than reality.

*But seriously, kudos to Boyle for bouncing back from an atrocious effort on Friday. When he plays his size, when he plays to his skill level, he excels. Boyle is not a particularly good hockey player, so being fancy and messing around with the puck is just stupid. When he just keeps it simple, good things happen. He skated hard, went to the net, went to the backhand and caught Giguere cheating away from the post. There was no wild stickhandling, no pulling up to wait for help. Plain, simple, north-south hockey.

*It has been mentioned many times that Chris Drury really shouldn't bother coming back but tonight's game changed my opinion. And it is all because of Ryan Callahan. Watching Cally closely, you can see what the kid has learned from the captain. He is slowly starting to combine the scoring prowess of Drury's youth with the defensive acumen of Dru now. The scoring is not coming easily - he was venturing into Higgins territory - but the talent is there. Dru racked up 47 assists one season, there is no reason to think that Cally can't if he ever gets the chance to skate with some snipers. Not to say that he can't score himself; as we saw with his penalty shot - he has hands. His hard work earned him that shot and he buried it.

*Another player stepping into a leadership role seems to be Brandon Prust. Prust is more of an enforcer than Brashear or Boogaard ever was. After the awful loss on Friday, Prust stepped up to the bell to go after Komisarek and then later Colton Orr. Where exactly was Boogaard? Prust had the visor removed before the game and immediately went to business; that's bold and that's appreciated. I mean, he went after Orr in Eminger's defense ... Eminger!

*Eminger, who stinks. But so does Gilroy and MDZ. The three of them are barely qualified to man a AHL blueline, much less a NHL one. Despite the CBC guys saying MDZ has avoided a sophomore slump (he hasn't), we have reached at the point where I wonder if a little time with JJ Daigneault might do MDZ some good. The only hope for us with Eminger or Gilroy is for an injury because that seems like what it will take to get the reliable Mike Sauer back in action.

*Grachev saw eight minutes or action but frankly, I can't remember most any of it. At least that is better than remembering just how disappointed I was with Alex Frolov. Again.

*Arty was alright - not as bad as he has been at times, not as good as he has been. He was involved and that is a plus for us. It was quite amusing watching him try to pull Boyle's move off in the third period, only to end up getting hammered into the net by West Islip white trash.

*Facing Toronto without Darcy Tucker just seems to leave Sean Avery on the outside looking in. He keeps pressing the action and skating hard but without a foil in Tucker, it just isn't the same.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Brian Boyle - one goal.
2-Dan Girardi - one assist.
1-Henrik Lundqvist - 36 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Prust - Face still messed up from the high stick, Prust held his own well being at bay for the sake of the team. More players should be as selfless - right now it seems like four, maybe five Blueshirts get it. Imagine what would happen if more did.
2-Girardi - Ever since the Carcillo/Gaborik incident, Girardi has played remarkably consistant - almost enough to forgive his mistake. Almost. Girardi has done quite well of late, especially when you consider that he is often saddled with MDZ as a partner.
1-Hank - I would say it is a pleasure to watch one of the top five goaltenders in the game go to work but it often gives me heart palpitations. Luckily he, and I, keep managing to pull though ...

 5-4-1: Another Block Party - The Defensive Excellence of the 2021-2022 Chicago Blackhawks

The 2021-2022 NHL season has been a rollercoaster ride for the Chicago Blackhawks. While the team's overall performance has had its ups and downs, there's one aspect of their game that has consistently shone - their exceptional defensive play. In this article, we'll delve into the defensive excellence of the Chicago Blackhawks during the 5-4-1 stretch and what has contributed to their success.

A Stalwart Defensive Corps

One of the most significant factors behind the Blackhawks' strong defensive performance has been their defensive corps. Led by seasoned veterans and complemented by emerging young talents, the blue line has been the backbone of the team.

Veteran Leadership: Players like [Veteran Defenseman 1] and [Veteran Defenseman 2] have not only brought their experience but also their leadership to the team. Their ability to read the game, make crucial defensive plays, and mentor younger defensemen has been invaluable.

Emerging Young Talent: The Blackhawks have seen the emergence of promising young defensemen like [Young Defenseman 1] and [Young Defenseman 2]. These players have demonstrated poise beyond their years and an innate ability to contribute at both ends of the ice.

Blocking Shots with Gusto

A hallmark of the Chicago Blackhawks' defensive play during their 5-4-1 stretch has been their willingness to block shots. This selfless act has saved countless goals and frustrated opposing teams.

Team Commitment: It's not just the defensemen who have been blocking shots. Forwards and even star players have bought into the team's defensive philosophy. This collective commitment to shot-blocking has limited opponents' scoring opportunities.

Goaltender Trust: The willingness to block shots has also stemmed from the trust the team has in their goaltender, [Goaltender Name]. Knowing that their netminder can make critical saves has emboldened players to throw their bodies in front of pucks.

The Penalty Kill Prowess

Another crucial element of the Blackhawks' defensive success has been their penalty kill unit. Operating at an impressive rate, they've nullified opposing power plays with remarkable consistency.

Discipline: Staying out of the penalty box is essential, and the Blackhawks have done a commendable job in this regard. Their discipline has prevented opponents from taking advantage of power-play opportunities.

Efficiency: When shorthanded, the Blackhawks have showcased impressive efficiency. Quick clears, aggressive pressure on the puck carrier, and the ability to disrupt passing lanes have been key to their penalty kill's success.

Looking Ahead

While the 5-4-1 stretch has showcased the Chicago Blackhawks' defensive prowess, there's no room for complacency in the NHL. The team's success will depend on maintaining their strong defensive play, fine-tuning their offensive game, and continuing to build chemistry among their players.

The Chicago Blackhawks' commitment to defensive excellence during their 5-4-1 stretch has been a defining characteristic of their season. With a combination of veteran leadership, emerging young talent, shot-blocking tenacity, and an efficient penalty kill, the team has established a strong defensive foundation. As they continue their journey through the 2021-2022 season, their ability to maintain this level of defensive play will be crucial to their overall success.

FAQs

Q1: Who are some of the key veteran defensemen for the Chicago Blackhawks?

A1: Key veteran defensemen for the Blackhawks include [Veteran Defenseman 1] and [Veteran Defenseman 2].

Q2: How has shot-blocking contributed to the Blackhawks' defensive success?

A2: Shot-blocking has been a crucial aspect of the team's defensive success, with players demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice their bodies to block shots.

Q3: Who is the goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks?

A3: The goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks is [Goaltender Name].

Q4: What has been a significant factor in the Blackhawks' efficient penalty kill?

A4: Discipline and efficiency have been key to the Blackhawks' efficient penalty kill, with the team staying out of the penalty box and effectively pressuring opponents during penalty kills.